Mobile merchandising device



Sept. 1, 1942.

C. M. HATFIELD MOBILE MERCHANDIS ING DEVICE Filed May 29, 1940 Patented Sept. 1, 1942 MOBILE MERCHANDISING DEVICE Carroll M. Hatfield, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Evelyn L. Heckert, Van Nuys, Calif.

Application May 29, 1940, Serial No. 337,849

1 Claim.

My invention relates to mobile merchandising devices of the general type forming the subject matter of U. S, Letters Patent No. 2,121,756 issued June 21, 1938, to John E. Heckert, and the principal object of my invention is to generally improve upon and simplify the construction of the merchandising device shown in the Heckert patent and to provide a merchandising device that is constructed so as to conveniently support two baskets or like containers.

The device shown in the Heckert patent is designed for the support of a single basket or the like and it frequently happens in retail markets that customers purchase more goods than can be conveniently packed in a single basket and thus the frame of my improved device is constructed so that in addition to the basket carried on the upper portion of the frame,

means is provided on the lower portion of the frame for the reception and support of a second basket.

A further object of my invention is, to provide a mobile merchandising device with a handle on the upper portion of the folding frame in order that the device may be conveniently manipulated and moved from one position to another.

With the foregoin and other objects in view, my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts that will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a mobile merchandising device constructed in accordance with my invention and with the baskets that are supported by the device illustrated in dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of the device.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view.

Fig. 4 is a detail view showing a modified construction.

Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawing which illustrates a preferred embodiment of my invention, Ill-l designate a pair of substantially parallel members, preferably formed from metal tubing, and rigidly fixed to the upper and lower portions of these members ID are cross connecting members H and I2 respectively. These cross members are preferably formed of metal tubing.

Those portions of members l0 below the lower cross member I l are bent slightly with respect to the plane occupied by the main body portions of the members [0 and secured to the lower ends of said angularly bent portions are conventional casters I3.

Those portions [4 of the members It] above the upper cross connecting member l2 are bent outwardly away from each other in order that the basket or like container that is positioned on the upper portion of the device may be more readily accommodated.

The members l0 and connecting members II and [2 form one frame of the device and the other frame consists of a pair of parallel straight members l5, preferably metal tubing, the intermediate portions of which are pivotally connected to the intermediate portions of the members [0 by pins or bolts [6.

Thus the upper and lower portions of the two frames may be readily swung toward and away from each other in order to facilitate their being packed so as to occupy comparatively little space while in storage or transportation.

The upper portions of the members I5 of the second frame are connected by a cross member I! and in order to limit the opening movement of the two parts of the frame of the device and to provide a support for the basket or container positioned on the upper portion of said device, the ends of a flexible member I9, preferably a chain, are secured to the intermediate portions of the cross connecting members l2 and IT. From the cross connecting member H, the tubes forming the members iii are extended upwardly and outwardly to form diverging members 20 and connecting the upper ends of these members is a transversely disposed rail 2|, preferably metal tubing, that functions as a handle to be grasped while manipulating the device and moving the same from one position to another.

The means for supporting the second basket or container on the lower portion of the folding frame of the device comprises a substantially rectangular frame having parallel side members 22, the outer ends of which are connected by a cross member 23, said members being formed in a single piece, preferably from metal tubing, and the ends of the side members opposite the ends that are connected by the cross member 23 are connected to the lower ends of the parallel members l5.

The frame comprising the side and end members 22 and 23 is arranged so that when the folding frames are in full open position as illustrated in Fig. 1, said frame comprising the parts 22 and 23 occupies a substantially horizontal plane.

In order to provide a support for the basket or container that is positioned in the frame comprising the parts 22 and 23, a strap 24 is disposed transversely between the central portions of the side members 22 with the upturned ends of said strap permanently secured to said side members.

Depending from the side members 22 adjacent the ends that are connected by cross member 23 are short legs 25 on the lower ends of which are mounted casters 26.

When the device is made ready for use, the upper ends of the two frames are swung apart to their limit of movement, which is the length of the chain l9, and a basket or other container is positioned between the upwardly projecting diverging members M and. 20, with the bottom of said basket resting on the cross connecting members l2 and I! and the chain I9. When so psitioned, the cross member 2! occupies a position above the supported basket and thus pro.- vides a convenient handle for use in moving the device from one position to another.

A second basket or like container is positioned between the horizontally disposed side members 22 that project outwardly from the members l and said basket or other container is supported by the strap 24, and as the greater portion of said strap is positioned below the plane occupied by the side members 22, the lower one of the baskets will be very firmly positioned on the device and can not be easily dislodged therefrom.

The casters i3 and 25 provide means for rolling the basket carrying device over a floor or other level surface and thus the device provides a convenient carrier for two baskets or like containers.

When the mobile merchandising device is folded for storage or transportation, the upper and lower portions of the members l0 and I5 are swung toward each other so that the diverging upper end portions I4 of the side members It! occupy positions adjacent the cross connecting member I! and the lower portions of the members IO occupy positions adjacent the lower ends of frame members If! (see dotted lines A, Fig, 1).

In some instances it may be desirable to produce a non-collapsing merchandising device in accordance with my invention and where such practice is carried out, flexible member I9 is replaced by a rigid bar or rail 19a that connects the cross members l2 and H (see Fig. 4).

containers from one position to another while said baskets or containers are being filled with merchandise purchased in retail markets or the like.

It will be understood that minor changes in the size, form and construction of the various parts of my improved mobile merchandising device, may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of my invention, the scope of which is set forth in the appended claim.

I claim as my invention:

In a mobile merchandising device, a pair of frames, each including parallel side members, with the side members of one frame hinged to the side members of the other frame intermediate their ends, the upper portions of the side members of one frame extending above the upper ends of the side members of the other frame, a handle connecting the upper ends of the upwardly extended frame side members, cross rails connecting the upper portions of the side rails of both frames to provide a support for a receptacle, a flexible member connecting said cross rails for limiting the opening movement of the two frames, the lower portions of the side rails of the frame having the upwardly extending upper end portions extending forwardly and being offset outwardly with respect to the upper portions of said side members for the reception of an extra width receptacle, a transverse rail connecting the forward ends of the forwardly projecting offset portions of said rails, a transversely arranged receptacle supporting member disposed in a plane below the offset portions of said rails and having upturned end that are connected to the intermediate portions of the offset forwardly pro-' jecting portions of said frame members and wheels supporting the lower ends of both frames.

CARROLL M. HATFIELD. 

